Load lifting and transporting apparatus



April 1951 A. H. .MONTOUR 2,548,806

LOAD LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING APPARATUS Filed May 3, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheetl I lNVENTOP 7 Fl 4 AQTHUR H. MONTOUR arfiwelwm k A TTORNE rs April 10,1951 Filed May 3, 1947 A. H. MONTOUR LOAD LIFTING AND TRANSPORTINGAPPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -IL------ --4 a? INVENTOA? ARTHUR H. Mo/vrouaA TTORNE r;

April 10, 1951 A. H. "MONTOUR LOAD LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING APPARATUS 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 3, 1947 Fr """HIJHI I fie.

V M w W A Hal/4 Arrow/[vs Patented Apr. 10, 195i LOAD LIFTING ANDTRANSPORTING APPARATUS Arthur Henry Montour, Minneapolis, Minn.,assignor, by mesne assignments, to Skarnes Engineering & Supply, Inc.,Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application May 3, 1947,Serial No. 745,711

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in liftingapparatus, in general, and more specifically to such an apparatus whichis particularly well adapted for use to transport heavy objects whichotherwise may be extremely difficult to handle.

[Numerous attempts have heretofore been made to provide a liftingapparatus which may conveniently and quickly be positioned'in operativeposition to a load, such as a packing crate and the like, whereby such aload, regardless of its size and weight, may be quickly and readilymoved about from one place to another with a minimum of effort, and tothe best of my knowl edge, apparatus used for this purpose at thepresent time has not proven entirely satisfactory.

It is therefore highly desirable that an improved apparatus be providedwhich shall embody all of desirable features of such an apparatus andwhich is so constructed that it may be quickly moved into or out ofoperative engagement with a load, such as a large crate or box, or otherheavy object, whereby when such a lifting apparatus is engaged with eachend of the crate or load, the entire load is lifted off the floor and issupported upon swivel casters, whereby it may easily be transported fromone place to another with a minimum of labor and effort. The apparatushas been found to be particularly useful in railway freight houses,factories, shipping rooms, warehouses, and in many other places whereheavy objects Or articles must be frequently moved about from one placeto another, as when loading and unloading freight cars and trucks, orstoring or placing heavy machinery.

' The inherent construction of the novel lifting apparatus hereindisclosed is such that it may readily and quickly be applied to a loadwithout the use of separate securing means. When one such liftingapparatus is applied at each end of a load, such as a large shipping boxor other article, such load may be moved about with utmost.

ease as the large swivel casters make it possible to roll the load overrough floors or other surfaces without effort, whereby the operation ofhandling such heavy merchandise may be greatly expedited and at areduced cost, and with little danger of damaging the articles whileshifting them about.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide an improvedlifting apparatus of the class described comprising a main frame mountedon suitable swivel casters and a secondary frame mounted for verticalsliding movement on the main frame and having forwardly extenduprightposition, and means being provided on the apparatus for verticallytranslating the secondary frame on the main frame, thereby to bodilylift the load off the floor and transfer its weight onto the casters ofthe main frame.

A further object is to provide an improved lifting apparatus of theclass described made of structural steel and all parts being suitablywelded together to provide a very rugged and substantial apparatus, theconstruction and arrangement of the telescoping frames being such as toprovide the utmost in simplicity whereby the apparatus may bemanufactured at low cost and with a minimum of labor.

Other objects of the invention reside in the relative disposition of theswivel casters and the load engaging elements whereby such partscooperate to retain a lifting apparatus in an upright position when notin use; and in the rearward spacing of the swivel casters from the loadengaging elements whereby when the apparatus is operatively engaged witha load, the center of gravity of the load will be located forwardly ofthe swivel casters, whereby the upper portion of the secondary framewill always be held firmly in engagement with the load when the latteris supported on the apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exact featuresshown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line l| ofFigure 3 showing the apparatus applied to a load;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 2, showing thetelescoping arrangement of the laterally spaced side members of the twoas shown in Figure 1.

aseaeoe U the load engaging elements positioned against the floor;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing a main frame having tubularside frame members;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the secondary frame detached from the mainframe;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the main frame with the secondary framedetached therefrom;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 9-9 ofFigure 7;

Figure 10 is a similar view substantially on the line 10-40 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a rear view of a lifting apparatus of slightly modifiedconstruction;

Figure 12 is a front view of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a top view of Figure 11; and

Figure 14 is a view showing a lifting apparatus wherein the loadengaging elements are mounted for lateral adjustment on the secondaryframe to adapt the apparatus for lifting loads of different sizes.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed is shown comprising a main frame,generally designated by the numeral 2, comprising laterally spaced sidemembers 3 secured together at their upper ends by a suitable crossmember 4 which preferably is of angle iron cross section, as illustratedin Figure l. The side frame members 3 of the main frame are also shownto be of angle iron cross-section, but they may be of tubular stock, asshown at in Figure 6, if desired. The lower ends of the side members 3of the main frame are shown abuttingly engaged with the forward ends ofa pair of metallic base plates 6 to which they are secured by suitablemeans such as welding.

The plates 6 extend rearwardly from the side frame members 3 to providesupports for a pair of swivel casters 1, shown secured to the rear endportions of the plates 6 by such means as rivets or bolts 8. A cross bar9, preferably in the form of an angle iron, has its end portions weldedto the top faces of the base plates 6, as will be understood byreference to Figures 1 and 4, thereby to secure together said plates toform a rugged structure. Diagonal braces ll have their lower ends weldedto the cross member 9 and their upper ends to the intermediate portionof the upper cross member 4, as clearly illustrated in Figure 8.

Relatively smaller angle iron braces 12 have their lower ends welded tothe cross member 9 adjacent to the lower ends of the diagonal braces Il, and their upper ends to the upper cross member 4, as clearlyillustrated in Figure 8.

A suitable lifting device, generally designated by the numeral I3, isshown mounted on the upper cross member 4. This lifting device ispreferably in the form of a hydraulic jack and comprises a cylinder I4which is secured to the cross member 4 and a plunger l5 which isslidable in the cylinder and may be projected therefrom, The liftingdevice has a suitable operating handle 16, as best shown in Figure 8.The jack I3 is preferably mounted for relative rotation upon the crossmember 6 whereby its operating handle l6 may be swung about a verticalaxis to any desired position, as indicated by the full and dotted linesin Figure 8.

A secondary frame, generally designated by the numeral I1, is showncomprising laterally spaced side members l8 adapted to telescope withthe upright side members 3 of the main frame 2, as will be understood byreference to Figure l. The upper ends of the side members l8 of thesecondary frame l'i' are secured together by a suitable cross member 19preferably in the form of an angle iron having its ends suitably weldedto the upper ends of the side members it. Suitable gussets or braces 2|are secured to the upper ends of the side members 18 and the tophorizontal flange of the cross member I9, thereby to rigidly secure theupper ends of the frame members l8 to the cross member [9 to provide avery rugged and substantial structure.

The lower ends of the side members l8 are secured together by a crossmember 22, preferably in the form of a flat bar, and diagonal braces 23have their lower ends welded to the opposed ends of the cross member 22and their upper ends to the front face of the upper cross member IS. Thesecondary frame I! has its side members 18 mounted for vertical slidingmovement on the side frame members 3 of the main frame, as will beunderstood by reference to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. A holder 29 may besecured to one of the side frame members iii of the secondary frame forsupporting the jack handle I6, when not in use, as indicated in dottedlines in Figures 2 and '7.

Relatively shorter angle irons 24 have their edges welded respectivelyto the edges of the lower portions of the side member ll; of thesecondary frame thereby to provide in effect, tubular guides forreceiving and guidingly supporting the secondary frame on the mainframe, when the secondary frame is vertically translated thereon.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the arrangementof the load engaging elements, generally designated by the numeral 25.The element 25, as best shown in Figure 5, are preferably constructed ofbar stock of ample width and strength to carry the load, and they havetheir upper end portions suitably welded to the lower end portions ofthe side members ll! of the secondary frame IT. The lower end portions26 of the elements 25 extend forwardly as shown in Figure 1, and arenormally positioned adjacent to the floor whereby they may readily beinserted under a load, as will be understood by reference to the dottedlines shown in Figure 1. When the elements 26 are in their lowermostpositions as shown in Figure 5, they may engage the floor and therebycooperate with the casters 1 to retain the apparatus in an uprightposition, as shown in Figure 5. Suitable handles 21 may be securedto theupper ends of the side frame members [8 of the secondary frame I"! tofacilitate moving the apparatus about from place to place.

When the two frames are assembled, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, theupper end of the plunger or ram I5 of the hydraulic jack I3 is engagedwith the cross member [9 of the secondary frame whereby when the jackhandle 18 is manipulated to operate the jack, the secondary frame willbe vertically translated on the main frame to bodily lift the load fromthe floor, as shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 1 it may also be noted the casters 1 are spaced rearwardly aconsiderable distance from the load engaging elements 26. This is ahighly desirable feature of the structure in that when the load issupported on the elements 26, as shown in Figure 1, the upper portion ofthe secondary frame, including the diagonal braces 23, is held firmlyagainst the load whereby the greater the weight of the load, the morefirmly the liftin apparatus is held in operative engagement therewith.

When a lifting apparatus i applied .to each end of a heavy shipping boxor crate, as indicated in Figure 1, the shipping box, regardless of itssize and weight, may readily be transported about from one place toanother, usually by a single workman. By the employment of the liftingapparatus herein disclosed, heavy crates or shipping boxes may bequickly and easily moved about on station platforms or in warehouses, orthey may readily be loaded into or out of freight cars in a fraction ofthe time heretofore required to move such heavy boxes or crates whenusing conventional equipment such as rollers and pinch bars. The casterrollers employed are very important because they make it possible toshift the load laterally as well as forwardly and rearwardly. When theload has been moved to the desired position, the lifting apparatus maybe quickly released therefrom by manipulation of the jack handle it, aswill be understood.

In Figures 11, 12 and 13, there is shown a lifting apparatus of slightlymodified construction and which may be found more desirable instructures of this type adapted for handling lighter weight articles.The structures shown in Figures 11 to 13, inclusive, includes a mainframe, generally designated by the numeral 28, comprising upright sidemembers 29 tied together at their upper ends by a cross member 3!} andhaving their lower ends secured to plates 3|, similar to the plates 6,shown in Figure 4. Suitable swivel casters 32 are secured to the plates3| by bolts or rivets 33. A cross member 34 secures together the rearintermediate portions of the plates 3| in a manner similar to the crossmember 9 of the form shown in Figure 4. Diagonal braces 55 have theirlower ends suitably welded to the lower cross members 34 and their upperends to the plates 3|, as will be understood by reference to Figure 11.

A secondary frame, generally designated by the numeral 36, is showncomprising laterally spaced side members 31 which are secured togetherin spaced relation by a suitable cross member 38 of angle iron crosssection. lhe lower end portions of the frame members 35 are tiedtogether by a cross bar 39. The upright side frame members 3'! of thesecondary frame 36 are telescopically engaged with the side framemembers 29 of the main frame 28, as best illustrated in Figure 13,whereby the secondary frame is adapted for vertical sliding movement onthe main frame,

as shown and described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, inclusive.

In the form shown in Figures 11 to 13, inclusive, a tubular member 4| isshown mounted upon and secured to the upper cross member of thesecondary frame 35 and has its upper end 42 closed as shown.

A conventional jack, generally designated by the numeral 43, preferablyof the hydraulic type,-

is secured to the cross member 30 of the secondary frame, and has acylinder 44 shown extended upwardly into the tubular member 45. The jackis operatively associated with the tubular member 4|, and is providedwith a suitable pump 45 having an operating handle 46, whereby the jackmay be conveniently operated to vertically translate the secondary frame36 upon the main frame 28, when it is desired to lift a load from thefloor. A suitable holder M is shown secured to one of the side framemembers of the secondary frame for supporting the jack handle 46, whennot in use.

The secondary frame 38 of the apparatus shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13,is provided with forwardly extending load engaging elements 48, similarto the elements '26 shown in Figure 5, which normally may be positionedto engage the ground whereby they cooperate with the casters 32 tosupport the apparatus in an upright position upon the floor. In thestructures shown in Figures 11 and 12, a suitable handle 49 is shownsecured to the upper cross member 38 of the secondary frame 36 which maybe conveniently grasped by a workman or operator when moving theapparatus about from one place to another.

In Figure 14, there is shown an apparatus comprising load engagingelements 5| which are mounted for lateral adjustment upon a cross member52 secured to the lower portion of the sec endary frame as, as will beunderstood. The load engaging elements 5| are provided at their upperends with offset portions 53 adapted to seat upon the upper edge of thecross ,member 52. Elongated slots 5 are provided in the cross member 52adapted to receive bolts 55 received in suitable apertures provided inthe upper ends of the load engaging members 5|, as shown. The bolts passthrough the elongated apertures 5t, and when. their nuts are loosened,the members 5% may be laterally adjusted upon the bar 52 to vary thespacing between the members 5| to conform to the size of the load to belifted. The apparatus shown in Figure 1% otherwise is substantiallyidentical to. the one shown in Figures 11 to 13, inclusive, and theremaining parts thereof are therefore identified by like numerals.

The apparatus herein disclosed has been found extremely practical foruse in shipping rooms, railroad freight houses, factories, store rooms,in trucks, railroad and marine shipping terminals, and wherever heavybulky units must be handled and shifted about from one place to another.By the employment of the novel lifting apparatus herein disclosed, oneor two men may handle practically any size load with perfect ease and ina minimum of time. The manipulation of the apparatus is extremely simpleand the operation of placing it under a load or removing it therefrommay be accomplished by any inexperienced person in a minimum of time.When transporting heavy loads from one place to another, two liftingapparatus are employed. One is applied to each end of the load, as shownin Figure 1, whereby the entire load will be supported upon the casters1 which are of ample size to permit the load to be readily rolled overrelatively rough floors, and the like, without difficulty. Itsconstruction is extremely simple and inexpensive and the all-weldedconstruction provides a very rugged and substantial apparatus of thistype which offers the utmost in convenience of operation and long life.

In the drawings I have referred to the means for vertically translatingthe secondary frame upon the main frame as comprising a hydraulic jack.It is to be understood that any apparatus or device which is applicablefor the purpose may be utilized for thus translating the secondary frameupon the main frame without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplishedat least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also beapparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments hereindescribed may be variously changed and modified without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of usesand has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will beappreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only,and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a main frame comprisinglaterally spaced side members, a cross member secured to the upper endsof said side members, rearwardly extending base plates secured to thelower ends of said side members, a cross member secured to the upperfaces of said base plates rearwardly of the intermediate portionsthereof for retaining said plates in fixed spaced relation, bracemembers having their lower ends secured to said lower cross member andtheir upper ends to the upper cross member, swivel casters secured tothe rear end portions of said base plates, a secondary frame havingspaced side members slidingly engaged with the "spaced side members ofthe main frame, a horizontally disposed angle iron tying together theupper ends of the side members of the secondary frame, load engagingelements secured to and depending from the secondary frame and normallypositioned adjacent to the floor whereby they may cooperate with thecasters to support the apparatus in an upright position when not in use,a suitable lifting jack interposed between the upper cross members ofsaid main and secondary frames for vertically translating the secondaryframes on the main frame to lift a load, and suitable carrying handleson the secondary frame to facilitate maneuvering the apparatus into andout of engagement with a load. 7

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a

main frame comprising laterally spaced side members, a cross membersecured to the upper ends of said side members, rearwardly extendingbase plates secured to the lower ends of said side members, a crossmember secured to said base plates adjacent the rear end portionsthereof for retaining said plates in fixed spaced relation, bracemembers having their lower ends secured to said lower cross member andtheir upper ends to the upper cross member, casters secured to the rearend portions of said base plates, a secondary frame having spaced sidemembers slidingly engaged with the spaced side members of the mainframe, a horizontally disposed angle iron securing together the upperends of the side members of the secondary frame, a cross member securedto the lower portion of the secondary frame above said base plates, loadengaging ele-- ments adjustably secured to said cross member whereby thespacing between said elements may be varied to accommodate loads ofvarying shapes and sizes, a lifting jack interposed between the uppercross members of said main and secondary frames for verticallytranslating the secondary frame on the main frame to lift a load, andsuitable carrying handles on the secondary frame to facilitatemaneuvering the apparatus into and out of engagement with a load.

ARTHUR HENRY MONTOUR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

